It seems that a week doesn't go by without hearing about a drunk Downtown Fullerton patron killing someone after getting behind the wheel.
It is sad and preventable.
The Fullerton Police Department keeps tabs on the bars by conducting "FIs" or field interrogations. FIs occur when an officer makes contact with the public by stopping them for traffic violations, jay-walking, or simply loitering about.
One of the lines of questions they ask those they contact is where are they coming from and have they been drinking. The suspects are encouraged to tell the officer which Downtown bar they came from and how many drinks they were served. The officers document this information and compile it for future investigations.
I first learned of this data and the process for obtaining it when Downtown Fullerton's Cherch Lounge was closed down for numerous flagrant violations. It was the first time I had seen the City take a proactive role in holding bars responsible for their action.
Too bad the bars aren't scrutinized more; perhaps other lives could be saved.
The California Business and Professions Code regulates alcohol sales and consumption throughout the state. Two laws in particular can and should be applied to Fullerton's bars through stepped up enforcement.
25601. Every licensee, or agent or employee of a licensee, who keeps, permits to be used, or suffers to be used, in conjunction with a licensed premises, any disorderly house or place in which people abide or to which people resort, to the disturbance of the neighborhood, or in which people abide or to which people resort for purposes which are injurious to the public morals, health, convenience, or safety, is guilty of a misdemeanor.
25602. (a) Every person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage to any habitual or common drunkard or to any obviously intoxicated person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) No person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section shall be civilly liable to any injured person or the estate of such person for injuries inflicted on that person as a result of intoxication by the consumer of such alcoholic beverage.
25602. (a) Every person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage to any habitual or common drunkard or to any obviously intoxicated person is guilty of a misdemeanor.
(b) No person who sells, furnishes, gives, or causes to be sold, furnished, or given away, any alcoholic beverage pursuant to subdivision (a) of this section shall be civilly liable to any injured person or the estate of such person for injuries inflicted on that person as a result of intoxication by the consumer of such alcoholic beverage.
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